Paul J. Mueller
Encyclopedia
Paul John Mueller was a career United States Army
officer. He served overseas during World War I
and World War II
.
".
since its reactivation in June 1942. For the next two years Gen. Mueller moved the division to different training locations throughout the United States before it was deployed overseas in the summer of 1944.
General Mueller led the Wildcat Division into its first taste of combat on 17 September 1944 during the Palau Islands campaign. While the majority of the 81st invaded Angaur Island, RCT 321 joined the 1st Marine Division in its assault of Peleliu Island. RCT 321 also assisted in capturing Ngesebus Island, Kongauru and Garakayo Islands. Operating under a naval task force, RCT 323 occupied Ulithi Atoll.
Beginning in November 1944 and continuing into the new year, General Mueller and the 81st captured Pulo Anna Island, Kyangel Atoll, and Pais Island.
After a break for rehabilitation and training, General Mueller led the 81st to Leyte in May 1945 where they helped with mopping up operations until August 12, 1945. On the 18th of September, General Mueller began occupation duty with the 81st Division in Japan.
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After leaving the 86th Infantry Division, General Mueller served as Chief of Staff to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in Tokyo until 1949. Following this assignment he became the Deputy Commander of the Third Army from 1949 to 1950.
His next assignment was as head of the Career Management Division. He continued in this assignment until his retirement in September 1954.
He died in 1964.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
officer. He served overseas during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Education
Paul Mueller was a graduate of the West Point class of 1915, known as "the class the stars fell onThe class the stars fell on
"The class the stars fell on" is an expression used to describe the United States Military Academy class of 1915. In the U.S. Army, the insignia reserved for generals is one or more stars. Of the 164 graduates that year, 59 attained the rank of general, the most of any class in the history of the...
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World War I
Served in World War I as the commander of an infantry battation of the 64th Infantry Regiment in France.Peacetime
After the war he had assignments to infantry commands, held staff positions and attended schools. He was a member of the occupation army stationed in Coblenz from 1920 to 1922. After leaving Germany, he attended and graduated from the Command and General Staff School in 1923. In 1928 he graduated from the Army War College. From 1931 to 1934 he served with the War Plans Division of the War Department General Staff. His next assignment was as an instructor with the General Staff College from 1935 to 1940. He led the training division from 1940 to 1941 for the chief of the infantry command. Later that year he was assigned as Chief of Staff for the 2nd Army and promoted to Brigadier General.World War II
In August 1942, after the United States entered World War II, he was given command of the 81st Infantry Division at Ft. Rucker, Alabama and was soon promoted to Major General. The 81st Infantry Division, known as the Wildcat Division, had been commanded by Maj. Gen. Gustave H. FrankeGustave H. Franke
Maj. General Gustav H. "Gus" Franke was a career United States Army officer. He was born in Wisconsin and moved to Iowa in 1888. His father, Gustave Henry Franke, was a tailor in Manning, Iowa....
since its reactivation in June 1942. For the next two years Gen. Mueller moved the division to different training locations throughout the United States before it was deployed overseas in the summer of 1944.
General Mueller led the Wildcat Division into its first taste of combat on 17 September 1944 during the Palau Islands campaign. While the majority of the 81st invaded Angaur Island, RCT 321 joined the 1st Marine Division in its assault of Peleliu Island. RCT 321 also assisted in capturing Ngesebus Island, Kongauru and Garakayo Islands. Operating under a naval task force, RCT 323 occupied Ulithi Atoll.
Beginning in November 1944 and continuing into the new year, General Mueller and the 81st captured Pulo Anna Island, Kyangel Atoll, and Pais Island.
After a break for rehabilitation and training, General Mueller led the 81st to Leyte in May 1945 where they helped with mopping up operations until August 12, 1945. On the 18th of September, General Mueller began occupation duty with the 81st Division in Japan.
Postwar and Retirement
In January 1946, the 81st Division was deactivated and General Mueller took over command of the 86th Infantry Division from January 1946 to April 1946 replacing Maj. Gen. Harris M. Melasky. Maj. General Mueller commanded the 86th for a short time until relinquishing command to Maj. Gen. Harry F. HazlettHarry F. Hazlett
Harry Fouts Hazlett was a career officer in the U.S. Army. Prior to that he was an American football coach for the Canton Professionals-Bulldogs of the Ohio League, which was the direct predecessor to the modern National Football League, as well as the head football and basketball coach at Canton...
.
After leaving the 86th Infantry Division, General Mueller served as Chief of Staff to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in Tokyo until 1949. Following this assignment he became the Deputy Commander of the Third Army from 1949 to 1950.
His next assignment was as head of the Career Management Division. He continued in this assignment until his retirement in September 1954.
He died in 1964.
External links
- Bloody Beaches: The Marines at Peleliu by Brigadier General Gordon D. Gayle, USMC (Ret) Retrieved 2009-02-20
- U.S. Army Retrieved 2009-02-20
- New York Times Retrieved 2009-02-21